I'm planning a trip with 4 friends to Nassau in mid April. We're about to book at the Hilton. Anyone habe information, good or bad? Will we be overrun by cruise ship day trippers? Is there a better island to visit?<BR>Thanks in advance. If anyone can recommend a condo, that would be great, too.

We stayed there 3 or so years ago when I couldn't find anywhere else in the Caribbean to use my Honors points. The beach was awful and the food spotty. But the hotel was otherwise fine and in an excellent location to enable one to do other things. Overall, we had a good time.

Kirsten, the Nassau Hilton Hotel is great, but be very cautious at night. This hotel is located downtown where it is crowded with people during the day, then deserted at night. Do not walk the streets of Nassau at night alone!!! Always use a cab at night! Paradise Island is very safe. I would recommend Atlantis or The Sheraton.

The Hilton was the old British Colonial that underwent TOTAL rennovation in the last couple of years. The beach at the resort is small but private. You must be a guest to use the beach, so it will be fairly quiet. <BR><BR>There are several good restaurants in the immediate area and some fun shopping and of course the "new" straw market, which had a fire recently and has been reopened under a tent while rebuilding is going on.<BR><BR>There are some very nice shops downtown and you can bargin for just about anything at most shops. Good prices on jewelry.<BR><BR>The ships will dock not too far from the hotel, and should not be a problem.<BR><BR>Right across the street from the hotel is Conch Fritters for good bahamian food and Cafe Matisse is excellent. If you want an AMAZING (and expensive) dinner go to Greycliff up the street from the hotel. It is still the only 5 star restaurant in the carribean, food and service are superb and the wine list is one of the best in the world.<BR><BR>If you need any more info, let me know.<BR><BR>tweedy

The old BC as the locals call the Hilton stands for "British Colonial" and it has "soul", as if it belongs along the Nassau skyline. The nine acres behind her are private and lush with plant life. The beach is small, but with few people on it. Actually, it isn't small at all for a downtown hotel. You can sunbathe on over a hundred feet of private beach. It looks pretty big when you and only a few others are on it. Less people per square yard. The inside of the BC is plush and well-kept, and that's why many of the government ministers hold their meetings there. The Blackbeard Pub is very fancy, and the outside bar by the swimming pool and beach area is nice. Take snorkeling equipment and snorkel off the BC beach; many reef fish to be seen along the breakwall. you will not be overrun by any cruise ship crowds, simply because its isolated and private from the throngs. Since I have dove the waters around Nassau and do reef surveys, if you want any tips on exploring New Providence's REAL thrills, which are underwater, let me know. Most dive ops have great snorkeling tours to beautiful and shallow reefs. Robert

We stayed in December 01. The beach is not so great (near spot where cruise ships dock), but hotel has been recently renovated so rooms are nice (but no balconies). Location is good for access to Cable Beach & Paradise Island. We spent most of the trip on Paradise Island as beaches there were nicer. Another restaurant to try in Nassau is the Poop Deck.

Don't worry about the cruise ships; they're in the distance and actually make it exciting, with the tug boats going out to steer them in. Robert

My girlfriends and I vacationed in Nassau during December, and we could not wait to get off this island. It has gone down hill from the last time we were there, 5 years ago. It is resembling the gritty and aggressive aspects of Jamaica. I would recommend going to another island. You should look into Maui, San Juan, South Miami Beach, Myrtle Beach, or Newport Beach instead of wasting money in Nassau.

I would have to agree with everything Megan stated.

Megan is comparing Nassau to US cities and territories. Not a fair comparison. Nassau is a major city in a foreign country with it's own culture. This culture may not be for everyone, but it's not fair to think of it in comparison to our US cities and standards. <BR>I live part time in New Providence, and although I've seen some parts of town decline in this economy, it is still a great, exciting town with friendly folks, great food, and lots of bargains. Nassau in NOT downtown USA and I'm happy about that.<BR>The Hilton Hotel is a grand hotel, but it is NOT a resort. If you are looking for recreation, shuffleboard and tennis, then this is not the place to go. If you are looking for a luxury hotel, quiet beach within steps of all, then you've found it. I love the BCH, my favorite hotel, but it's not for everyone.

I agree; the old BC is now renovated and is extremely plush. The lobby itself is majestic. And, you can take off from a freezing Cleveland at 9am and enjoying the warm beach and sun at the BC, sipping a Bahama Mama by noon the same day. Maui's too far for me. Robert

I would disagree with the ignorant comments made by scubagirl. To state "nassau is not downtown USA" shows bitterness and envy on her part. Nassau has its good and bad. But, it is definitely not as wonderful as scubagirl describes it. The Hilton is a lovely small property. I would suggest spending some time on Paradise Island. <BR>

Scuba-girl, after reading your offensive post, we realize you are just an immature kid pretending to know about adult travel. I do not believe you could afford to stay at the Hilton! You lack class, my dear. Perhaps you work there as a chambermaid.

Your way off base... I am indeed an adult who maintains an apartment in New York City, where my business is based, and a home on New Providence where I can telecommute and enjoy the sun and island life. <BR>I admit (even in my post) that the economy has taken it's toll on parts of Nassau and you can see some evidence of it on Bay Street, but I AM glad it's not Downtown USA.. I come here to get away from all that.<BR>As for being an "adult traveler", I think I can qualify for that, since I've spent 4 months living in Paris this past year, traveled to Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Switzerland, England and Thailand within the last 18 months, and hit 7 Caribbean Island this past summer on a Dive trip. <BR>We are all entitled to our own opinions.<BR>If you still want to make a fuss about this, email me, and keep it off the boards. This is for folks to gather information, not name calling.<BR><BR>

I used to live in the Bahamas, as I work in the offshore finance industry. It was not a pleasant experience and I was glad to move onto another island in the Caribbean. Having been to virtually every country in the Caribbean, I can report that there are so many other islands that are cleaner, safer and just plain nicer. The Bahamas have many beautiful places, but New Providence (Nassau) is not one of them. Harbour Island in Eleuthera is not to be missed, for example.

Having just returned from Nassau/Paradise Island, I would not recommend Nassau to anyone. Paradise Island is more of what the American traveler is accustomed to. The Atlantis Hotel was absolutely wonderful. We ventured off to Nassau for what we thought would be a great shopping experience, and were received by loud, rude abrupt locals trying to overcharge us on everything because they knew we were staying on Paradise Island. Before our purchase we were asked where were we staying. Then all of a sudden the salespeople would say they had made an error on ticketing and the price was higher. What thieves, we left everything on the counter and walked out. And, we were surrounded in broad daylight infront of the Hard Rock Cafe souvenir shop by a group of local men aggressively trying to "take us to the fun side of the island for some partying, drinks and best smoke on the island". No thanks, we took a taxi back to Atlantis and remained there most of our vacation. We would never recommend the Bahamas as a vacation spot to anyone. I am of dutch extraction living in the States, and I would never compare this third world country to the beautiful wonders of the USA.

scubagirl, why is it that you tell such tall tales? your imagination is getting the best of you!

You seem to really not " get it". If you read my original post, I did not <BR>"compare this third world country to the beautiful wonders of the USA." but pointing out the differences.<BR>Megan was disallusioned with nassau and suggested vacationing only in US territories. My response was that Nassau was Different, not to be expected to be like the US. <BR>If you don't like Nassau.. fine.. <BR>I'm aware of it's downturn in the last 17 years since I bought my home. But some of you just didn't get the intended message.. at all.. <BR>This post was supposed to be about the Hilton, wasn't it??<BR><BR>Non believer.. some of us are fortunate to have jobs that take us traveling as well as allow us time to do so. I've paid my dues and raised my family. Now I travel.<BR>any questions. Email me.<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR>Author: non believer ([email protected])<BR>Date: 02/04/2002, 04:47 pm<BR>Message: scubagirl, why is it that you tell such tall tales? your imagination is getting the best of you!<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR> <BR><BR>

Kirsten:<BR>My family has traveled to New Providence the last 3 years staying at Compass Point. While there my wife usually wants to visit downtown Nassau which I could do without, however I go along to keep peace. We have NEVER had a problem other than the occasional cabbie ripping us off - but that can happen anywhere in the world.<BR>While I have not traveled as extensively as others in this post I can assure you if I had the choice I would return to Compass Point AGAIN this year because I LOVE the serenity, beauty and service that it found there.

Kirsten; You've heard a lot of input. But, the old BC is still a place I would take over Paradise Island or the Atlantis. Personally, I think PI is too overgrown and overdeveloped, and the beaches and pools are crowded too. the last time I liked PI was when it was called "Hog Island" in the late 60's, before the two bridges were built. We used to jump off the ferry, full of rum punches, and swim the last couple hundred yards to PI(Hog Island). Few people, many palm trees and coconuts, and empty beaches. The old BC has a great, and large freshwater pool, with the ocean a mere 10 second walk away. You have direct access to downtown Nassau, and you can meet with local Bahamians in the restaurants and pubs between the BC and Parliament Square. I disagree with some of the posters saying Nassau is dirty. Yes, parts of it sure are, just like most cities in the states are. Parliament square and the adjacent blocks have beautiful pink with white trim buildings and plenty of old English achitectural design. I've met only friendly locals working in the shops. Most of the tourists are great and act naturally with the locals, but some are fairly condescending, enough to make my wife and I roll our eyes when we see them shopping. You also can take the jitneys to west bay street and to all the great restaurants, like the Green Shutters(a must to see). If you go to any third world country like the Bahamas and expect to be waited on hand in foot in order to get your money's worth in order to be happy, don't go to the BC and don't visit downtown. If you view the Bahamians as equals, you will have an enjoyable time. I guess the posters merely are projecting their own bbelief system and substance into interpretation of what a good vs mediocre vacation should be like. Robert